The Premier League is set to resume this gameweek, spanning the concluding weekend of 2023 and the initial week of 2024. A noteworthy development in the previous round saw surprising losses for three of the top 5 teams, including the table-toppers, Arsenal. This shift in fortunes has propelled Liverpool to claim the league's leading position as they reach the halfway point. However, the title race remains fiercely contested, characterized by unprecedented uncertainty regarding the eventual champion. Meanwhile, in the relegation battle, Nottingham Forest and Luton Town secured crucial victories, tightening the competition with Everton, with only a two-point margin separating these three sides. Crystal Palace, with 18 points, is also embroiled in the struggle, further intensifying the lower end of the table. As managers in the realm of KridaFans reflect on the eventful year 2023, there is a collective desire to conclude it on a high note, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating and unpredictable second half of the season.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 19
In a dramatic comeback, Manchester United overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to secure a 3-2 victory against Aston Villa, with three second-half goals. Manchester City marked their return to the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 win over Everton, while Liverpool continued their strong form with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Burnley. Brighton finally ended their search for a win with a thrilling 4-2 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.
Declan Rice experienced a challenging outing as his current side, Arsenal, fell 2-0 to his former team, West Ham United. Meanwhile, Chris Wood's remarkable hat-trick against his former club, Newcastle United, propelled Nottingham Forest to a 3-1 victory. Two tightly contested matches unfolded between Luton Town and Sheffield United (3-2) and Chelsea and Crystal Palace (2-1), while Bournemouth dominated Fulham in a one-sided affair, securing a 3-0 win.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 20
As injuries take a toll on several teams towards the year's end, managers exercise caution with their available resources. Before identifying potential game-changers for your fantasy team, staying alert to any notable absences from starting lineups becomes crucial. These omissions can significantly impact your team's fantasy league performance, underscoring the importance of staying informed and adaptable in the ever-changing realm of fantasy sports. Being proactive in managing injuries and adjusting strategies accordingly is key to maintaining a competitive edge in fantasy leagues during this critical phase of the season:
Notable Absences
Manchester City will be without the services of John Stones for the next few weeks as the defender sustained an injury in their recent match against Everton. Similarly, Brighton faces injury setbacks as Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra will be sidelined, depriving the team of their contributions.
Forwards
a. Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest) contributed with two assists in Forest’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United. The former Manchester United forward would be facing them in the next match and Forest would hope he continues his good form.
b. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) is yet to win a match with Crystal Palace this season despite him performing well after returning from injury having scored 3 goals and 1 assist in 8 matches. The talented forward would hope his form can help his side win against Struggling Brentford and provide Palace some cushion over teams in relegation spots.
Tip: For 8.4 credits (569 points), Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert could prove to be an affordable option. The former Ajax and Roma forward is proving to be a great addition to the Bournemouth side providing great support to main striker Dominic Solanke.
Midfielders
a. Phil Foden (Manchester City) scored the equalizer for Manchester City as they ended up winning 3-1 against Everton. The English midfielder’s contribution is not highlighted much in this star-studded City lineup but he has performed consistently, his 5 goals and 4 assists being the proof of his importance for the title-chasing Manchester City side.
b. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton) seems to be Brighton's latest find of this season alongside forward João Pedro. The 18-year-old midfielder, who often plays as a full-back this season, scored the opening goal for Brighton in the last match and is showing consistency much beyond his age.
Tip: For 9.9 credits (1018 points), Wolverhampton Wanderers’s Mario Lemina can be a great choice for fantasy squads. The midfielder has contributed with 4 goals this season including a goal in each of the last won matches.
Defenders
a. Ben White (Arsenal) is enjoying another brilliant season for Arsenal as a right-back. As Arsenal prepares to face Fulham in the next match, white would be a key player for the Gunners in their pursuit of 3 points that would keep their title hopes alive.
b. Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton) has been trusted at the left-back position by Sean Dyche this season. The Ukrainian international has been performing well and has contributed with 2 goals in addition to his defensive work rate.
Tip: For 6.6 credits (875.4 points), West Ham United’s Vladimír Coufal could be a reliable choice as a defender. The defense has been West Ham’s strength under David Moyes and Coufal has been consistent at right-back, contributing with 5 assists this season along with being reliable at the back.
Goalkeepers
a. Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) conceded three goals against Manchester United but he remains a key strength of this high-performing Aston Villa side. Villa would expect their goalkeeper to help them bounce back against Burnley in the next match.
b. Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspurs), like Martinez, endured a tough match as the Spurs goalkeeper conceded 4 goals against Brighton. The Italian goalkeeper, however, has been impressive this season and would surely be eager to keep a clean sheet against their next opponent Bournemouth.
Tip: For 4.9 credits (148.2 points), Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic emerges as a compelling transfer choice for fantasy managers, particularly with the extended injury to Robert Sanchez. This situation positions Petrovic as a potential point-scorer for fantasy squads, making him an intriguing and strategic addition for managers looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options in the coming weeks.
What Next?
Compete for a share of the 2.6M $KRIDA prize pool in the 2023-24 English Premier League Season on KridaFans. Last season's winner became $18k+ richer. Sign up for free and experience cutting-edge fantasy football on the Polygon network.
About KridaFans:
KridaFans is a pioneering fantasy soccer platform that rewards users based on their performance through a unique skill-based rarity of player cards, or NFTs. This innovative approach ensures a fair playing field and sets KridaFans apart in the industry.
Website | Twitter | Discord | Blog
